Paper [Bonus Tracks]

by Rich Robinson

Overview

If you listened to Paper, the first solo album by former Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson without knowing who it was, it'd be easy to peg that it's the work of a guitarist who has finally been given the chance to do whatever he wants on record. There are layers and layers of guitars on each cut, so much so that it's hard to tell exactly how many overdubs are on each track, and they're all pushed to the front of the mix. Even when there isn't a specific guitar solo, each guitar part is busy enough to show off the guitarist's considerable chops, and each tune has been written to give him plenty of room to roam. It's not like Rich Robinson was ever held back in the Black Crowes -- from their first album his playing was as much a part of their sound as his brother Chris' voice, but here he's allowed to indulge himself to a far greater extent than before, and he seizes it. If you're a guitar nut, that's not a bad thing, since Robinson is a good guitarist, but he would have benefited from a producer to reign him in a bit, or at least edit his performances so they pack a punch instead of just ramble on. He also would have benefited if he had hired a vocalist; he's written a couple of hooky, vaguely psychedelic choruses, but his voice is too thin to carry over the dense, murky layers of guitars. In short, it seems like the first solo album from a talented guitarist from a notable band -- some good riffs, some good hooks, some good playing, but it never gels, since the guitarist is having too much fun enjoying his freedom to figure out how to present it to a larger audience, even an audience of his diehard fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2016
Label:	Eagle / Eagle Records
UPC:	0826992039428
Rank:	226378

Tracks

1. Know Me
2. Enemy
3. Stand Up
4. Leave It Alone
5. Words of the Chosen
6. Yesterday I Saw You
7. Places
8. Veil
9. Walking by Myself
10. Forgiven Song
11. When You Will
12. Baby
13. Begin
14. Falling Away
15. Cause You're With Me
16. Answers
17. Goodbye

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rich Robinson   Primary Artist,Guitar (Bass),Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Taylor Robinson   Percussion,Percussion
Jonathan Dinklage   Violin
Joe Magistro   Drums,Percussion
Antoine Silverman   Violin
Donnie Herron   Fiddle,Pedal Steel
Anja Wood   Cello
Joan Wasser   Viola
Eddie Harsch   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Chris Ribando   Audio Engineer,Mixing,Engineer
Rich Robinson   Audio Production,Composer,Producer,Paintings
Miles Levit   Engineer
Bryan Russell   Engineer
Antoine Silverman   String Arrangements
A Dog   Design,Photography,Art Direction
Tony "Tippy" Tarochione   Mastering
John Hogg   Composer